Called by House colleagues "one of the most effective freshman we've seen in a long time" and "someone who does his homework," Congressman Mark Kennedy has quickly made his mark in Congress.
To those who know him, this is not a surprise. Growing up the third of seven children, Mark Kennedy has always been determined to succeed. Whether it was competing in 4-H, becoming the first man in the Kennedy family to attend college, or passing the Certified Public Accountant's exam on the first try, Mark Kennedy sets goals and achieves them.
In just his first term in office, Mark Kennedy delivered a record of accomplishment for Minnesota. An important provision from the first bill he introduced as a member of Congress, providing grant money for rural ambulance services, was signed into law by President Bush. He obtained $3 million in long-overdue funding for a key road project. And he passed legislation through the House of Representatives protecting the educational records of students and families.
He supported the largest tax relief in a generation, including elimination of the marriage penalty, was instrumental in passing the greenest Farm Bill ever, helped craft the House-passed prescription drug bill, was a strong supporter of our efforts to win the war on terrorism, and was a staunch advocate for transportation.
A fourth-generation Minnesotan, Mark continues his family's century-long tradition of public service to Minnesota that began with his great-grandfather's stint as a county commissioner in the 1890's.
Congressman Kennedy was born in Benson, Minnesota in 1957 and grew up in Murdock and Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. He received a Bachelors degree in Accounting from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Michigan.
Following college, he embarked on a successful 20-year business career that found him helping run four of America's most respected companies. Congressman Kennedy is also a Certified Public Accountant.
He currently resides in Watertown, Minnesota with his wife Debbie, and their four children: Charles, Emily, Sarah and Peter.
Community service is an important part of Congressman Kennedy's life. He is a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor and a member of: the Watertown Lions Clubs, the Tri-County Toastmasters, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the Farm Bureau. Congressman Kennedy is an active member of his church, Immaculate Conception in Watertown. He also regularly attends the House of Representatives Weekly Prayer Breakfast.
Congressman Kennedy serves on the Financial Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House.